Expect intensity. Expect passion. Expect the Harrisburg High School competition cheer team to deliver.
For weeks, the Bulldogs have treated the gym like a second home. Every stunt, tumbling pass and count has mattered as the team prepared for the start of its competition season.
This year’s squad is young, made up mostly of underclassmen with just three returning veterans, but that hasn’t slowed its progress. The team has built a routine that combines difficulty with showmanship, featuring synchronized tumbling and sharp, clean motions.
Returning for her second year as head coach, Jess Johnson described the team as “resilient, driven and full of potential.”
“We’ve had to work through a lot, but these athletes keep showing up and giving it their all,” Johnson said. “They have so much potential, and I’m excited to see how far they go this season. Like always, we’re hoping to have a great year and make our way to state competition in February.”
That journey is already off to a strong start. Harrisburg has qualified for the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association Championships, Illinois’ longest-running cheerleading competition. The 41st annual ICCA Championships will be held Jan. 10–11, 2026, at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield.
The event features varsity, junior varsity and junior high divisions competing in both routine and game day categories. Teams qualify for the state competition by earning required scores at ICCA invitationals throughout the season. Johnson notes that to qualify for the competition, the team must have accumulated 80 points, which is already a huge accomplishment in itself. Upcoming competitions include “Cheer for a Cure” January 17th. This competition is extra special for the Dogs, as they will be raising money for several of our own students and staff currently battling cancer.
The Bulldogs’ upcoming competition will serve as their first major test in front of judges, rival teams and large crowds. While the pressure is high, confidence remains strong as the team looks to make an impact early in the season.
